"It gives us the ability to construct devices that meet individual patient's needs, from their unique anatomy to specific medicine requirements. And as tools in interventional radiology, these devices are part of treatment options that are less invasive than traditional surgery," he added.

The team then tested these devices in cell cultures to see if they could inhibit growth of bacteria and cancer cells. When testing antibiotic-containing catheters that could slowly release the drug, D'Agostino's team found that the devices inhibited bacterial growth.